From: Memphis
Age: 18
Measurables: 6-11, 250 pounds
Key 2021-22 stats: 12.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2.1 bpg, 59.7 FG percentage
NBA.com consensus mock draft position: 10 (June 6 update, previously was 9)
OVERVIEW
It wasn’t long ago that if a player was deemed a top traditional center prospect of an NBA draft class, his chances of being picked No. 1 overall, or somewhere near the top, were extremely high. Deandre Ayton (2018) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015) are recent examples of No. 1-selected centers, while Dwight Howard, Andrew Bogut and Greg Oden all went first during the span from 2004-07. Times have changed, however, which might partly explain why Jalen Duren is one of this draft’s most coveted centers, yet does not appear to be in consideration for the top half of the lottery. One of the youngest prospects on the board after reclassifying grades, Duren is described as a pivot who spends most of his time around the rim.
“Duren’s offense is completely paint-dependent,” BlazersEdge.com noted. “He attempted 236 shots last season; 184 of them came inside the paint.” On the plus side, Duren commonly is described as a player with considerable potential to improve. “Young talent with big upside, a physically gifted big man who can finish around the rim,” NBA.com assessed. “On his best nights, it was (easy) to forget that he could have just as easily been suiting up at the high school level as his physical tools overwhelmed opposing big men at times at the collegiate level.”
DRAFT RANGE
Based on NBA.com’s survey of mock drafts, Duren is projected to be chosen somewhere between 9 (San Antonio) and 13 (Charlotte), with a few of the teams in that range of the lottery potentially seeking a rim-protecting center to shore up their defensive efforts. SB Nation, USA Today and Basketball News each have Duren going seventh to Portland, his best draft-night projection.
PRO PLAYER COMPARISONS
Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan or Robert Williams?
The player who “won” this poll is hoping to help extend Boston’s season beyond a Game 6 tonight vs. Golden State in Massachusetts. The on-the-rise Williams (42 percent of ballots) has been a vital piece to the Celtics’ in-season turnaround and emergence as the NBA’s top defensive unit this season. Howard was next at 27 percent of votes from fans.